Community Day 2017

297 staff across the business including our new friends in Ireland participated in 21 activities doing our part to make a positive impact on socio-economic issues relevant to our local communities. Whether it was building fences, painting walls, inspiring children or refereeing, there was something for all staff to get involved with. Activities were selected based on proximity to our business activities and fit with our community investment focus areas.

Once again, our headliner was Sports Inspired, who had their first activity in Barnet thanks to Hammerson and engaged 200 primary and secondary school children from the local area. This activity connected the local community through sporting activities, with the aim of inspiring new skills, relationships and opportunities.

London

With Croydon Partnership, Hammerson and Westfield volunteers recreated the grounds of a local scout and campsite.

With Lives not Knives, a long term partner to Centrale, volunteers helped devise a tool that would help young people if they felt unsafe in shopping centres. Whitgift are currently thinking about adopting this tool.

Volunteers also displayed their gardening skills by partnering with British home to help re-do a local community green space.The main event was with SportsInspired where 29 volunteers had their leadership and motivational skills were put to the test. I’m certain a few had lost their voice by lunchtime!

Once again we partnered with Barnet Homes to deliver yet another successful project, the team had redesigned a refuge house in the area of Finchley. And in record speed!!

And it wouldn’t be Community Day if we didn’t send a few volunteers to clear up the river!

New grounds in Ireland

Volunteers from Head Office and the centre teams spent their first Community Day experiencing various tasks from sorting out Lego pieces and painting with Barretstown to going out to the streets in Dublin to provide aid for the homeless with ICHH.

The centre teams organised a range of events, with some centres running activities over a week, such as the famous Highcross community week! Thanks to all the centre organisers for another great year of volunteering.

A survey will be sent to staff shortly for feedback on Community Day 2017. The feedback on your activity is greatly appreciated and helps us to shape the organisation and content of future Community Days.